Apple Walnut Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

In all my years on the internet, I’ve received three unforgettable emails. Each were typed by my mother. I picture her sitting at the keyboard, perfectly positioned to type as though she were being tested for proficiency. Either full caps or none at all. Her nose turned slightly up at the computer because she can’t quite see the 24” monitor. And truth be told, neither can I at 25 years old.

These electronic notes are the joy of my existence. They say something. About me, about her, about my level of discretion when it comes to my inbox. The fact that we must email back and forth despite speaking on the phone twice a day, ten minutes per conversation. Let’s just say the umbilical cord is very stretched.

The first email appeared in my inbox the day my mother discovered the internet. Throughout her note to me, she continually referred to her own ‘website,’ insisting that “I checked my website and it said…Well, if you look on my website…” I later came to understand her website to be Google. How I wish that Google were hers, and hers alone. Any innocent search would immediately yield results involving a stick of butter and a scalding hot bath- the things my mother believes in. But that’s beside the point. She ended the email with a neatly packaged, “Alright Skippies, see you later. Bye. Call me. Okay I love you. Oh and have a good time if you go to that party. Enjoy it. Okay, I’ll be thinking about you. I love you to pieces. Love, Ma.”

Truly perfect.

The second best email was one that I’d like to have chiseled into stone. It was beautiful. Intense and loving and honest and pure.

Love, articulated.

And then there was the third email. It began and ended with, “Andrea, Nana’s mad at you. Or me. She’s mad. At one of us. Let’s send her cinnamon rolls.” I should note that it also ended with a, “P.S. Should I cut bangs?”

Just so you know, she looks fabulous with bangs.

The genius of email is the terseness. The quick sentences, the directness. It speaks volumes about the two of us. It made me realize what that thing is that my mother’s emails have that others don’t. She writes as she speaks. Her emails are truer to her nature than say, someone who makes a distinction between the written and spoken word. She’d happily be shouting them through a phone line (and I do mean shouting) if it were just a tad later in the morning, and we weren’t three hours apart. Mind you, I’ve been living on the west coast for about five months now and she has still not acknowledged a time difference. I can’t quite count the number of times I’ve had to remind her that I can’t go to bed just yet, as it’s barely 5pm.

But back to the email itself. It’s brilliant. The notion is that if indeed my grandmother was mad at one of us (highly likely), cinnamon rolls would have been the surefire way to appease her. And it wasn’t even as if Nana liked cinnamon rolls in particular. In fact she didn’t care much for desserts, unless Caramello was in question (luckily we forgave her for her faults). It’s just that mom believes in the unfailing ability of sugar and butter to mend just about anything. Relationships included. And while I speak quite honestly about my own beliefs that food isn’t always love, sometimes it is. Sometimes it really is.

And I don’t question her. I just do.

I baked the cinnamon rolls. Nothing says “I love you and I’m sorry that you’re mad at me. Please allow me to butter and sugar you into sweet oblivion” better than tart apples and toasted walnuts tucked inside buttery soft cinnamon rolls. The gooey, sticky, cinnamon-spiced coils of fluffy sweet dough. A heavy-handed drizzling of apple cider glaze. Cinnamon buns in a cupcake cloak. They puffed in my oven and scented my house in the same warm way an apple spice candle does. And when I bit into one, I was certain that my mother was right. Cinnamon rolls make everything better.

These are not light, they are not classically healthy, they can’t even be considered simple. But they are divine, and seasonal and perfect in their own right. Not everything should be virtuously healthy, and some things are best in all their decadence. Cinnamon buns are those things.

Make them for a fall gathering, make them for your family, make them on Thanksgiving morning.

Apple Walnut Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

Let’s get started, shall we?

Heat the milk in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave for about one minute.

Add the yeast followed by the sugar, and stir to dissolve.

Now add two cups of flour and the salt and beat for a full two minutes.

Add the softened butter and eggs and beat until the mixture is well combined.

Add the rest of the flour, half a cup at a time, and beat thoroughly after each addition.

Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a floured surface. Knead the dough for five minutes, until it has become soft and elastic.

Put the dough in a large bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm area for 40 minutes. It will double in size.

Now make the filling: Combine the sugars, cinnamon, pecans, and apples in a large bowl.

Now turn the dough out onto the counter and roll it out 1/4” thick into a rectangular shape. Use a pastry brush to spread half of the butter over the surface.

Use a pastry brush to spread half of the butter over the surface.

Now spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1 to 1 1/2″ border around all sides.

Start at one end (of the long side) and roll, tucking the dough gently over the filling.

Cut the log into 24 pieces and place each inside one of the cups of a muffin tin lined with paper liners.

Cover the cupcakes with a towel and let them rise in a warm place for an additional 40 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350º. Brush the remaining butter evenly on the tops of the cupcakes and bake for 20 minutes. The tops will be a light golden brown.

Make the glaze: In a small bowl, stir to dissolve the powdered sugar in the apple cider. Drizzle this glaze over the cupcakes.

oh my gosh- this is just brilliant! I love the apples all tucked in. Its like the strudel I made this weekend in mini form. Beautiful. My mom is the same way with technology. She once emailed me to ask how to forward something… ;)

I can’t even tell you how many different ways I love this post. I hereby forgive WordPress for overlooking my blog, since they’ve Freshly Pressed yours – your mother sounds like a darling, I love that you love each other so much, and I doubt I’m waiting till Thanksgiving to make these cupcakes. Thank you!

I love the story about your mom, my dad is the same way…he recently just learned how to text and is now sending me funny texts :)

I really love this recipe. “Some things are best in all their decadence”, I do agree , sometimes you just have to use real sugar and real butter for things. I’m more satisfied eating after one bite if it’s the real thing. My weakness are for desserts.

Haha, my mom sends texts only when she can find some poor sucker to type them for her! It’s sort of unnerving to find out that she asked another person to text me something along the lines of “How was the gynecologist?” And as always, thank you for your kind words!!

These look so good! And I love the interweaving of the story of your Mom’s emails.

Like you Judith, I’ve been working out and have committed to eating in a healthier way. I have a invitation to a potluck on Sunday, so I’m going to take these there, so I CAN’T eat them all myself. I will let myself have one, though – I’m not stupid…

That looks like the absolute most delicious thing I have EVER seen. I love anythin apple. And combined with cinnamon rolls!? Hell yeah.
I need to find somebody who will make them for me… I am an awful cook and will definitely ruin it somehow. :(

I love your writing so much. To me, the food is tertiary to the story about your mom. I treasure my emails from my own mother. They’re so raw and honest, giving me a picture inside of her soul that I love so much. I went through and read her old emails to me after reading this. What a powerful post!

this is a really beautiful story and a lovely looking recipe!
i so cherish the emails that i share with my mom, and we live in the same city – moms just know how the world works in ways that we’ll never quite be able to touch, i think. thanks for this!

OMW. Do these look scrumptious! Also, the post about your mom moved me. Those emails are a treasure. I know. My mom passed away in May and I have gone through most of her stuff by now and the thing I was most happy to find was a very old song book with all of the songs she composed and all in her very own handwriting. Before, the stroke…before the shakiness. I truly miss her.

Back to these rolls/muffins…this has got to be true comfort food! Thanks for the post and the recipe. :)

You’re absolutely right..nothing says I love you and I’m sorry like cinn roles. They are a fave of mine and I’m always entranced by the delicious scents that permeate whatever room they are being baked in…yummness

I love that you make these cinnamon rolls in muffin tins with cupcake liners. What a cute way to serve them. I’m definitely going to have to try this. Have you ever tried them with cream cheese frosting?

I have given up on my family and technolgy. Considering 2 of my brothers are computer wizards it’s pretty frustrating. My heart skips a beat if my Dad sends me an email. and than he lectures me if I don’t send him JJ updates constantly..but I never know if he got them, if he liked them if he cares??

as for your apple walnut cinnamon roll cupcakes? HITS THE SPOT.
you’re on a roll chickie! good for you!

OMG!! These looks WONDERFUL!! I am totally baking these this very weekend. :) Your Blog is truly wonderful… I want to hug your Mom… she reminds me of mine… who yes… send me email making me feel as though I am in heap of trouble but thoroughly loved at the same time. :)

Wow. I’m sure that these cupcakes are delicious (the pictures have me salivating, which is always awkward while sitting at work), but the writing is what really blew me away. Fluency, amazing voice, weaving the story of your mother and a glimpse of your relationship with her into what turns out to be a recipe -phenomenal. And the bit about your mom referring to Google as her website is priceless.

Chase, I’m also blown away by your kindness. To compliment me on my writing in such a thoughtful way really does mean the world to me. Because as a blogger, you never quite know how the stories resonate with people, you know? Anyway, thank you so very much!

Each spring, four generations of women in my family gather for a “girls only” weekend. Next spring, I’ll be taking these along for breakfast. This recipe is irresistible, as are your photos and the story of your mother and grandmother. I’m sure all will be forgiven with the first bite! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I’m glad I found your blog on the WordPress Dashboard. Love it!

You, my lovely and wonderfully talented new best friend, have got me copying this recipe so fast that I’m laughing. I love your humor, your heart-warming story of your mom and grandma, and most of all, your apple cupcake recipe. Good grief! If I had all the ingrediants, I’d bake some right now.

Hi Sophia Elizabeth! Thank you for your comment! I’m so glad you find it helpful! I know that when I was starting out as a cook, I wished more people had detailed picture tutorials on how to make things, you know? So now I try to show as much as I can!

I wish my mother would embrace the internet..i would love to be able to look back and read her thoughts about life,love and food…my mom is a great cook, she should have been a chef…I guess I should try to engage her more. This week I emailed her a picture of a beautiful triple amaryllis and asked her if this was one of the beauties that Dad had given me…instead of resoponding via email…she called…I loved hearing her voice and talking with her, but it would have been nice to have the story she shared with me in written word, for posterity…

Congratulations on being pressed…and the apple walnut cinnamon cupcakes look devine…I can hardly wait to make them ..I know just the occasion!!!

Thank you for such a thoughtful and engaged comment! I know, it’s nice to have the physical email or letter because you can save it forever, and look back on those funny and touching moments when you need to feel closer to that person. I hope your mom comes around and gives the internet a chance! Thanks again!

These look so delicious! The whole picture looks bright and frizzy to me :) The way you have made them is also very special! I have never encoutered this way of making the dough, I thought everyone only made cupcakes by making a fluid substance and pouring that into the moulds. That’s at least the way I make them. I’m surely gonna make these for the weekend.

These are everything I love in a yummy treat! Apples, sugary glaze, and BREAD!!! Can’t wait to try. Would be good with a cold glass of milk for Thanksgiving morning while everyone is waiting for the Turkey.

OK I rarely click on the blogs highlighted on wordpress.com’s front page but who could resist the photo!? OMG and I’ve already finished dinner and dessert. That says a lot. Another thing being your post… Love it!

The pictures were like foreplay…and I was thinking to myself (Is she going to give us the recipe or am I getting worked up for nothing?) but then you did and my world is complete now!

the first vindi saw this post i didnt pay any attention cos i said i will just frustrate myself and i will end up scoffing 5 of those from the bakery and i might burn the kitchen down if i attempt to make it. I remember the first time i tried to able an apple tartatin! I was almost banned by my house mate in the kitchen! But i had a good look at the recipe and its quite easy ! Will definitely try it over the weekend. Its the last bank holiday weekend for the year in ireland. Roll on the weekend ! Woo hooo ! Thanks for sharing !

I just read your story in WW and had to visit your blog. I just recently started back on South Beach. When I read your story and your suggested meals (which are all very SB friendly) I just had to see what your blog was all about. Boy, was I surprised to see those cinn rolls on the front page! They look delicious, not exactly diet friendly, but yummy for sure!

You are an inspiration and I think have a great frame of mind about weight, and life in general. I love the story of your mom as well. You are just a beautiful young woman and I am sure this blog will inspire many!

Thank you so much Maggie! I know that the magazine made it seem like readers should come to my blog for a diet plan. The truth is, my blog is just an open space where I write honestly and openly about every experience I’ve had in losing weight, keeping it off, struggling with emotional eating, and then I also share my passion for cooking real, wholesome meals that are healthy. There is a beautiful balance here, and I want others to learn that there aren’t tricks, there aren’t rules, but just a testament to the fact that you can lose weight and still enjoy food, feel ‘normal,’ and eat cinnamon buns. I hope you’ll stick around! Thank you for your kindness and for saying hello!

I read this right before I went to bed, which wasn’t a good thing because I got hungry just by looking at the pictures. :D I tried making the cupcakes the next morning and they taste AMAZING!!!! I shared the cupcakes with my friends and they couldn’t wait to try baking it themselves! Thank you for sharing this!

I’ve just made Chelsea buns AND cinnamon buns (slathered in vanilla icing) but I’ve never see a Chelsea bun cup cake! Brilliant idea.
You are very lucky to have such a fab relationship with your mother. Treasure it.

OK, I’ve just tried to do these cupcakes and… I realized that something was going wrong since the begining, when I realized my dough didn’t exactly look like you picture. But… well, my BF says it taste really good!
My parents will taste them tomorrow and I know for sure they will love these cakes!
Thank you

I made these last night. They are very tasty; however I probably only used 6 cups flour total–not 8 1/2. The dough formed a firm ball and there was way too much dough and filling to fit into 24 cupcake papers. I baked them like normal cinnamon rolls. Next time I will half the dough recipe and try it in cupcake papers. They are very tasty and I like the different twist of chopped apples. Thanks for a yummy recipe even if mine don’t look a thing like yours.

After I saw this recipe I just knew I had to try it. Today I couldn’t resist anymore and I just got your cupcakes out of the oven. I was worried about the fact that my dough didn’t rise too much but as I opened the oven I knew it was IT. They are marvelous! Not dense at all, very fluffy, sweet but with a hint of the sourness from the walnuts and apples. Perfect. Definately the best cupcakes I’ve made so far. Absolutely made my day! Oh dear… I’ll have another one.

Ooooohhhh! I know what I am making this weekend. I think I will ask my older daughter to visit, the younger still lives at home, so I don’t have to send an invite. These will go over big with the whole family. Can’t wait to make them. Love reading your recipes, everything looks and sounds delicious!

I love it so much when recipes online include a buuunch of pictures, like of all the steps, and the final product. And you’ve done just that.
You’ll definitely get a thumbs up from me, and not just for the pictures! Also for the wonderful recipe. This looks amazing!

I came across your site two days ago. I am inspired by your weight loss journey and like you, have realized that the real secret is moderation in the foods I love. That being said, these Cinnamon Rolls looked great, so I made them last night for my law school class. If warm wishes can be sent through cyberspace, you got them this morning!

Can you prepare the receipe ahead of time and then freeze and bake as required? 24 is quite a lot for 2 people. I was thinking of making these for Christmas morning and taking them to family freshly baked on the day but I certainly won’t be getting up at the crack of dawn in order to do it.

I just tonight started up with Pinterest…This is the very first site, board, Pin (I don’t know!!) that I came upon and I haven’t been able to get off…who would want to!!! Wonderfull recipes can’t wait to start baking.
THANK YOU THANK YOU For Sharing

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I just finished making this recipe for my husband to take to work tomorrow! The muffins are delicious, but I had a tough time mixing the dough. My hand mixer’s engine couldn’t handle it, and my standing mixer was having a really hard time. I had to leave about a half cup of flour out because I couldn’t mix it. I ended up baking for an additional 14 minutes. I don’t know if it was less flour, my oven was off, or what… But they came out phenomenal! Thanks for the recipe, and I am so happy I tried it!

These were delicious and close to being considered sticky buns they were so gooey and soft. My only substitution was is using pecans.
I enjoy your writing style and have said so on Pinterest. Happy to come across your blog and can’t wait to try your cupcake lasagna tonight.

OK, first, love this recipe! Love it! Love the dough, the filling-the apples! This is my 3rd weekend making them so I can have them for breakfast every morning. Now, to the baking stuff: my cupcakes were more like “scrambles”–ya know, when they’re so big you do whatever you can to just get them in the papers? Today, I cut the dough in half before rolling, put half the filling on the dough, then cut and stuffed in the papers. NOW they look more like the ones in the pictures (did the other half as well–so much easier). Thank you for this recipe, my favorite now that autumn is here. Your blog is awesome-good food for the stomach and good read for the soul…